WILLIAM RUSH MERRIAM

Eleventh Governor of the State of Minnesota, was born at Wadham's Mills, New York, July 26, 1849, and is now residing in the city of Washington. He grew up from boyhood in St. Paul, Minn., and became a banker; was a representative in the legislature in 1883 and 1887; and was governor from January 9, 1889, to January 4, 1893. He was Director of the United States Census from 1899 to 1903.

WILLIAM RUSH MERRIAM

ELEVENTH GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA January 9, 1889, to January 4, 1893.

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sed vigor of mind, high social standing, and great business activity. Few families ever became so interwoven with the concerns of the people in so young a state. When we consider all that John L. Merriam (the father), Amherst H. Wilder (the uncle), and their business associates, were to our young commonwealth, and the young governor, William Rush Merriam, to our financial, social and political life, it seems quite incredible that they should all have passed from our vision and disappeared from our affairs, save in history. Yet such is the fate of many of the oldest and formerly most vigorous families of the state. They are perpetuated in history, not in descendants.

In Massachusetts the Adamses, the Lawrences, the Emersons, and the Hawthornes, founded families and perpetuated themselves. In New York the Livingstons, Schuylers, Hamiltons, Jays, Roosevelts, Astors, Vanderbilts, and scores of others, founded families and have